All Things Eternal by Marina Mitchell

Author:Marina Mitchell [Mitchell, Marina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-02T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Elias and Rose were married the first week in October; a modest ceremony, which, due to her condition, was kept to a minimum of guests, mostly family. In spite of her gravid state, the bride wore a simple gown of cream muslin trimmed with lace and matching veil. Elias wore his dark unruly hair pomaded back, the slim muscular body erect, his face unsmiling as he gave his vows. It was the first time Marianne had ever seen him in fine clothes, and she wondered at the quality and cut of them. The Woods were, she knew, one of the wealthiest families in these mountains, even though they were earthy and not prone to pretention. Yet, this wealth was as nothing compared to the twenty first century she knew with its designer chic and high technology, debt, worry and rat race.

But they’re content, she marvelled, staring around at the smiling faces. They live simply and close to nature and we’ve lost that in my world. They’re all so much freer than we’ll ever be…

That’s right, Marianne, a small voice within niggled. They kill each other too and get away with it. How emancipated is that? These thoughts unsettled her. She had the horrible feeling that her own wedding might soon occupy the family’s thoughts, and she’d end up standing just where Elias was, taking vows with someone she didn’t love and wearing the same expression.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds moved into Rose’s modest cabin close to her family and set about extending and modernising it. For Marianne, Elias might as well have been a hundred miles away, such was the void created by his absence. Before now, she’d never realised just how much his presence had filled the Wood home; the understated energy and taken for granted foundation upon which they all leaned in their own ways.

Ribby moped. Valentine was less jocular. Damaris fretted about his wellbeing and Marianne agonised over the why’s and wherefore’s until she felt her sanity might snap. Only Isaac remained unaffected. He voiced some pertinent observations at the supper table a week later.

‘Anyone would think ‘Lias is gone to another land. The boy’s only down the valley a short ride away! He’s bein’ tended by a woman who loves him. He’s busy with makin’ a family. He’ll be back to see us all and that includes his kid sister here, and he ain’t the only fish in the river worth settin’ a worm for.’

Marianne felt her face ignite as she poured herself a drink. Now she knew where Elias got his lack of tact!

‘Marianne don’t need a worm to catch a husband,’ Damaris grinned. ‘I reckon Saul Lovell’s gone on her…judgin’ from the intensity of his regard.’

‘Weighin’ up the wares,’ Val sniggered.

‘Oh, please!’ Marianne snapped. ‘You make me sound like a melon on a fruit stall!’

‘You could do worse than Saul,’ Damaris told her. ‘He got a kind nature, that boy.’

‘I’ve no intention of getting married again.’

‘A young woman like you needs a man,’ Isaac said.

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